WAITING FOR THE SUN

I’m a self-taught producer, and my first album was made almost entirely in isolation. But, throughout that time, I was also performing regularly with my band, the iLL harmonic. The live shows developed a vibe all their own, an evolution of sorts of what I was creating in the studio. So, for Project B, I decided to bring in my band to capture the energy and musicianship of our performances. One by one, my bandmates camce to my tiny apartment in Bushwick, Brooklyn, and over the course of two years, an album took shape – a journey of overcoming self doubt and distraction, and leaning on the people closest to me to create BACKSTAGE, the most meaningful music I’ve ever made.

Fun fact: I never learned to read music. I was a drummer for 4 years in my teens, but never really mastered a particular instrument. When I began to bring in musicians who’ve dedicated most of their lives to honing their craft, I wasn’t sure I could hang. I’d been producing for more than a decade, but mostly in a vacuum. When I played music for people, I’d feel compelled to explain why certain things sounded the way they did, or what limitations I was working with.

I think we all have moments like that; you’re about to put yourself out there in a way you haven’t done before and you don’t know how people will react. We can be paralyzed by situations that leave us vulnerable, and the status quo can feel like a comfort. “If you don’t try you don’t win, but if you don’t try, you don’t lose.” But I’d like to loosely quote newly-minted Facebook inspirational speaker and long-time Fresh Prince Will Smith: “the moments right beyond that paralyzing fear are usually ones of greatness.” Making BACKSTAGE instilled a confidence in me that I will carry for the rest of my life, and it's brought me closer to achieving my dream than ever.

I’d recommend you find your “high dive” and jump. Go do that thing you’ve been thinking about doing for years. Try it, and mess up, and figure out why you messed up, and try it again. I thought BACKSTAGE would take less than a year to make. It took more than two. Every time I thought I was finished, an entirely new challenge presented itself. But I wanted it enough to keep taking those Ls until I found a W. I can tell you with 100% certainty that all the Ls are worth it for one W. Keep on keepin’ on, B-Rock Nation. No matter what.